30 for 30 | 30: Safari-ing & The Recap Link Up

 Jacket: H&M | Shirt: Target | Pants: Target | Flats: Ivanka Trump Annulia | Cuff: Charlotte Russe

WE DID IT GUYS!!!

This isn't news to anyone, I drove the 30 for 30 strugglebus this month. I think it was a combination of busy-ness, stress, mild seasonal depression, and a few pieces that really just aren't "me" or don't fit quite right. I am THRILLED to be done.

I'm going to take the weekend off and when I come back, I'm going to show you the outfits I've literally been dying to wear all month... you're going to laugh when you see what they are. Seriously.

And when I get back... IT'LL BE FEBRUARY.
The glorious, glorious month of my birth.
My birthday, Mardi Gras, Valentine's Day, Groundhog Day, Superbowl commercials... if you hate any of these things, see you in March ;)

Let's see your recaps! I'll leave this thing open for a few weeks so you can all come in at your leisure :)

30 for 30 | 29: Spotty Dotty

Sweater: Old Navy | Shirt: F21 | Jeans: Simply Vera | Flats: Steve Madden Vegass | Earrings: Target

This Forever 21 top is so sheer that I haven't actually been able to wear it on its own - something about "hey look there's my bra!" doesn't seem to scream "hire me I'm a young professional!" at the same time. I love that it adds a pop of pattern to an otherwise pppreeeettttyyyyy plain outfit. I definitely want to add some more patterned button downs to my closet - I loved this one so much during my last 30 for 30 that I'm pretty sure I couldn't go wrong with at least a leopard print and a stripe. A month or so ago I was watching this beautiful pink and red stripe Equipment blouse on eBay... I fell asleep before it ended and it sold for THIRTY FIVE FREAKING DOLLARS. Seriously, don't you just want to stick a fork in your eye when that happens? 

What's your "one that got away"? eBay-wise that is, we're not trying to get all Katy Perry up in here.

30 for 30 | 26, 27, & 28: Vested Interest

Jacket: F21 | Vest: F21 | Shirt: Target | Jeans: Simply Vera | Shoes: Unlisted

^^^ LAWYER JOKE. Sometimes I really can't help myself. It's a curse. So if you thought of actual vests when you read the title, congratulations. If you cringed a little, I feel you, and I'm sorry.

Le vest has proven difficult to style, beyond the whole white on white thing. And I'm not saying I'm not into it but I needed a little bit of branching.

Branch 1: The Layers. I've seen a bunch of bloggers wear vests over/under other jackets and blazers so I gave it a shot. I actually like how it makes the boucle jacket look, but I think I'd wear a different shirt. The green throws me.

Sweater: F21 | Vest: F21 | Skirt: F21 | Shoes: Unlisted | Tights: Target | Scarf: Target | Watch: Fossil 

Branch 2: It Don't Matter If You're Black or White... Or Both. I'm still on an MJ kick, can you tell?

Shirt: H&M | Vest: F21 | Jeans: Princess Vera | Boots: Report | Scarf: apt. 9 | Watch: Fossil

Branch 3: Off Duty DCC. I don't know if it's the blue/white combo or the chambray/vest combo but I feel like this is a touch too reminiscent of the Dallas cheerleaders' uniforms. Until I sprout boobs and sick pack abs, maybe not the look for me.

30 for 30 | 25: Annie You Ok?

Sweater: F21 | Skirt: F21 | Tights: Target | Shoes: Unlisted | Earrings: F21

If it hadn't been Michael Jackson cover band night last night (this particular band is the stuff of legends, we go all out) I would have been wearing this. Are you guys getting sick of hearing this line yet? I'm gonna be straight with you, I haven't had a whole lot of motivation/reason to get dressed on my days off this month, and in the interest of getting through a ridiculously difficult 30 for 30 by the end of January, we're playing dress up.

Do you feel like you've been struck by a smooth style blogging criminal?! 

(Had to.)

Anyway, MJ night called for vaguely reptilian-print metallic hot pants and a mint green leather jacket (which should clue you in to the kind of night I had) but had it been a normal night of semi-debauchery, I would have worn this in a second. I even followed the lead of school uniform wearers everywhere and rolled my skirt like seven times to take it from pencil to borderline inappropriate.

Only a few more days my dears! Let's see your favorite looks from the week... and see you back here on Thursday for the Recap link up!

30 for 30 | 23 & 24: All Work, No Play

Sweater: F21 | Skirt: INC | Flats: Ivanka Trump Annulia | Earrings: F21 | Ring: F21

I miss my internship this semester.

By "this semester" I mean it's been less than a month and I'm dying over here.

To me, class is work. Class kind of sucks. My internship, going to work, that stuff is fun. In class, I read about cases that happened a hundred years ago. Important, sure. But at work I get to see cases that are happening now. They might not ever make it to the Supreme Court or involve any highbrow philosophical issues, but they're real and they're interesting and they're fun.

So here are two outfits I didn't wear this semester because I wasn't going to work, and the temperature was too damn cold to wear them to class for schnitz and giggles. And when I fly south for the winter/the rest of my life, I'm going to flaunt bare legs in 40 degree lows and gripe to my grandchildren about how spoiled they are when they say it's cold.

"You think this is cold? When I was in college an icestorm hit that was so bad I lost power for six and a half days and had to take showers in my 35 degree house uphill both ways in the snow."*

Jacket: F21 | Shirt: Old Navy | Skirt: F21 | Flats: Ivanka Trump Annulia | Earrings: F21

*Partially true story

30 for 30 | 20, 21, & 22: Take Three

Shirt: Old Navy | Vest: CoffeeShop via jcpenney | Skirt: Cynthia Rowley | Boots: Report | Scarf: apt. 9

You know how they say practice makes perfect? Hasn't worked on my singing voice, but not one to be deterred I gave it a whirl on my 30 for 30. You guys know I was iffy on skirts with boots (my first try wasn't a disaster, my second try was an improvement) so I stood in front of my depleted closet and refused to budge until I had three outfits I actually like. The seasons changed, my roots grew out, and I felt a little like Kristen Stewart in the mega-depression Twilight movie (was that one or two?) but it worked.

I wouldn't say practice makes perfect, exactly... I'd probably go with "stubborn refusal to walk away makes workable outfits"... but a win is a win and in this month of moderate seasonal depression and almost complete disillusionment with the process of clothing myself, I'll take it.

Blazer: H&M | Shirt: Target | Skirt: Cynthia Rowley | Boots: Report | Scarf: probably F21, old | Earrings: F21

Jacket: H&M | Sweater: F21 | Skirt: Cynthia Rowley | Boots: Report | Watch: Fossil | Necklace: BaubleBar

30 for 30 | 19: Neon Olive

Coat: F21 | Sweater: F21 | Shirt: Target | Jeans: Simply Vera, distressing courtesy of the dog | Boots: Report | Necklace: Charming Charlie's

While the title of this post may have led you to believe you were about to read a recipe for a martini spiked with LSD, sorry! Just me and a sweater and third day hair. But I did wear boots today. Hussy ankles be damned!

In other news, it's Friwednesday (well... Frithursday by the time you read this) and my week is done and I'm in my jammies and brain functions will commence at a later time.

Until then... puppies! And hallucinogens... kind of!

image source

30 for 30 | 16 & 17: The Plaid Leopard Snake Charmer

 Shirt: J.Crew | Pants: Target | Flats: Ivanka Trump Annulia | Fur: Target

I'm not sure why or how the pattern of farmers and the Scottish plays so well with the pattern of, well, cougars and other divas... but guuuurl I ain't hatin'. Looking forward to expanding my plaid and python collections up to the level of my leopard obsession once my shopping ban is over. I need (NEED! Like water/food/shelter/oxygen need) some python pumps and some kind of plaid skirt. Do you guys have any favorites?

Shirt: J.Crew | Skirt: INC | Flats: Steve Madden Vegass | Necklace: F21

30 for 30 | 15: My Little Pony

Shirt: Old Navy | Pants: Target | Flats: Ivanka Trump Annulia | Necklace: F21

The original version of this outfit included my hot pink sweater over this shirt. And if you elongated my body by 7 inches and added crazy heels and made my face look 22 days shy of 25 instead of barely legal to drive, you'd probably see that outfit pop up on some street style blog during fashion week.

The picture I took of that outfit, sans 7-inch growth spurt and designer shoes and the face of a grown ass woman, will remain sealed until at least 60 years after my demise.

Until dressing like a My Little Pony/Christina Aguilera's hair extensions turns into a thing or I stop getting carded to buy spray paint and R-rated movies, we're gonna have to settle for this outfit. But the rest of you should feel free to try it so I can have one of my semi-frequent emotional meltdowns over the things you guys can rock that I just can't. Like full skirts and cropped jackets and rompers.

So we'll just chalk today up to being a lesson, or as my mom would call it (and as she did, in fact, call every single embarrassing moment of my childhood - there were many) a "character builder." And a reminder that just because Suri Cruise makes it look good doesn't mean it's going to end well for me.

Also, if you couldn't tell, the "painting my nails" resolution is failing. BUT I did get a pedicure so I'm only a half failure. 

My parents are so proud.

Come back this afternoon for two ways to wear animal prints and plaid - you guys know I'm a fool for that combo.

30 for 30 | 13 & 14: Winter Whites

 Peplum: F21 | Dress: Lush | Flats: Ivanka Trump Annulia | Necklace: F21

I guess I forgot it was January when I picked out my 30 items, because I threw in a whole lot of white.

Super intelligent move for the girl who could stain her clothes even if she wore Bubble Boy's bubble. Coffee and chocolate and spaghetti sauce be damned, the heart wants what the heart wants!!!

Also, remember when I was all, "I hate the bottom of this outfit, but I don't know what I'd change"? Scroll down. That's what I wished I'd been wearing.

I'm also happy to announce that it took 20 whole days to get around to making substitutions: these glitter flats are replacing the green flats in my collage (and also they look exactly like these except, oh hey, they were .000001% of the price) because those were too big and had to be sent back, and this olive top is replacing the sequin shirt because I've been wearing the heck out of it but mostly I had the biggest brain fart in the history of time and thought I included it in the first place. Whaddaya do.

Happy MLKJR day! Hope you don't have to work or anything or else I'm gonna sound like a real big turd when I tell you the dogs and I are snuggling in bed watching The West Wing all day.

Sweater: F21 | Vest: F21 | Dress: Lush | Flats: Ivanka Trump Annulia | Necklace: F21

30 for 30 | Tag! January 2013 Link Up #3

The lovely Frandipitous of Franish (a blog you should all be reading if you're not already) tagged me in a fun post about our favorite things about 2012. Since an otherwise good year ended on a little bit of a sour note, I jumped at the chance to remember all the good things!

Favorite Makeup: as of 2012, I'm a Bare Minerals convert. I fall asleep in my makeup with embarrassing frequency and I never have to worry about it anymore, because this foundation never makes my face break out. I will say that I'm looking around for a new winter foundation because I prefer something a little more moisturizing - any tips? I'm using Maybelline's Dream Fresh BB cream and while I really like it as a tinted moisturizer, it's not enough to cover up my dark circles.

Favorite Book: GONE GIRL. GONE GIRL GONE GIRL GONE GIRL. Holy holy. If you haven't read this, go get it now. I can't even start to tell you about it for fear of giving it away, but trust me when I say that even if it doesn't sound like your "thing" when it comes to books, you'll thank me later.

Favorite Song/Album: I was incredibly bummed that I'm not on the Taylor Swift train. I like a total of three songs off Red - All Too Well, Stay Stay Stay, and We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, obvi. I can't say that it's a favorite song or album, but I'm really loving my Tal Bachman "She's So High Above Me" radio station on Spotify.

Favorite Movie: I think I have to go with James Bond on this one even though I loved The Hunger Games (for the most part). I was also a huge fan of the new Bourne! Lord, am I a 12-year-old boy? Gimme some spy movies!

One Thing You're Grateful For: my family, my friends, and you guys. Because without those things, the end of 2012 would have been impossible to get over and the start of 2013 wouldn't have been nearly as great.

Greatest Challenge: a breakup that was a very long time coming.

Looking Forward to in 2013: a calendar stocked with weekend visits to friends before I graduate in May, GRADUATING IN MAY, two awesome weddings, a trip back to Vegas, passing the bar exam on the first try (let's all start crossing our fingers now, shall we?), hopefully meeting up with some of you little cuties, and finally, finally earning a big girl paycheck.

I know it's only been 20 days coming, but hey, that's my 2012.

And without further ado, I'd like to tag all of the 30 for 30 ladies!

I love learning new things about you guys almost as much as I love drooling over your outfits ;)

30 for 30 | 12: Multiple Choice

Sweater: F21 | Button down: Target | Pants: Princess Vera via Kohl's | Booties: ShoeMint | Necklace: F21 | Watch: Fossil 

Want to play a fun game? It's called "Which Of These Outfits Should I Have Worn Out In Public Yesterday" with the fun twist being that I actually wore two of them out in public already so, much like Who's Line Is It Anyway, the points don't matter, except they do matter because you guys are like my style sensais and your grasshopper needs you.

Your options:

A. The White Out. I would have preferred a different colored sweater... but it's 30 for 30.

B. The Shametuck. Which I don't find all that shameful because I've always tucked my shirts in this way. Just ask my high school basketball coach.

C. The "If Not For The Butt Pockets You'd Thing These Pants Were Leggings." 

D. None Of The Above, You Bunweasel.

Also, any of you who live in the general vicinity of Texas (DFW specifically) would you do me a GIANT favor and take a few minutes out of your day to email me your thoughts/loves/hates about your city? Because my other favorite fun game to play as of late is "Throw Darts at the US Map to Decide Where to Take the Bar"...

30 for 30 | 11: Skirt + Boots pt. II

Sweater: F21 | Skirt: Cynthia Rowley | Boots: Report | Tights: Target | Earrings: F21 | Scarf: apt. 9

Skirts and boots part two! Shorter skirt + a little knee action = infinitely better. Huge thanks to Bella and Kimmie for showing me the error of my ways. :) So yeah, definitely digging this a little more than my last attempt, but I have to say I'm not sure it's "me." Practical in the winter, sure, but I prefer my skirts with heels.

IN OTHER NEWS I'M GRADUATING ON STAR WARS DAY.

As in May 4th.

As in "May the Fourth be with you."

3 months 18 days. Who's counting?

30 for 30 | 10: On Mondays We Wear Pink

Sweater: F21 | Jeans: Jolt via TJMaxx | Boots: Report | Scarf: Simply Vera

So the first thing my friend said when he saw me yesterday was "well you look pink." And I was all "on Mondays we wear pink." And he was all "Who's we?" And I was all say whaaaaaaa

Apparently boys don't get Mean Girls jokes.

The list of things I don't get about the male species could fill an ocean.

Aaaanyway, taking real pictures again is eye-opening. As in, my eyes are open to the fact that I need new boots. These bunch in a weird way around my ankles and they are best and most eloquently described in color as "poop brown." Advice time: do I hunt some down now, while I can still wear them during the winter, or do I wait until the summer sales when they're half off?

30 for 30 | January 2013 Link Up #2

I feel like I should explain to you guys where I've "been" lately.
"Been" is in air quotes because I suppose one can't actually "be" on a blog. But you get it.
And by this point you may be wondering wtf a giant elephant has to do with any of this, and it occurs to me that I may not have introduced you all to Teddy the Frivolous Elephant painting.

Sometimes a random thing makes you happy and you can't put your finger on why.
Could be sequin pants. Could be high top wedge sneakers. Could be a giant painting of a bull elephant.

This week, rearranging and redecorating my apartment has made me happier than getting dressed. Can't quite put my finger on why, but I went with it. And I'm reeeeaaaalllllllyyyy excited to show you guys when it's done, though I realize that having absolutely nothing to compare it to you probably won't notice much of a difference.

I may or may not have shoe displays. May or may not.

And now, let's see what's been making you guys happy this week. 30 for 30-wise.

30 for 30 | 9: Boots & a Pencil Skirt

Sweater: Old Navy | Vest: CoffeeShop | Skirt: F21 | Boots: Report | Tights: Target | Watch: Kohl's | Necklace: no idea

I may be wearing the same sweater twice in a row, but at least I changed my shoes!

I've been wanting to try this whole boots with a pencil skirt thing, because the rest of you make it look so cute, but something felt off to me. I'm really hoping I'm just doing it wrong and this is not my fatal character flaw. You know, some people are greedy, some people are Missouri fans (can't resist! rock chalk), some people look like frumpmonsters when they wear boots with skirts.

Have y'all been keeping up with the other 30 for 30-ers? You so should be. Jess found a perfect mustard pencil skirt at Kohl's, I'm seething with jealousy over Kim's ankle boot collection, Ginny just discovered the awesomeness that is How I Met Your Mother (I need to catch up on the last two seasons!), Elissa pulled off plaid, tweed, and python like a pro, Amber started an outfit spreadsheet (I'm like a proud mama duck over here), Nicole showed me exactly how to wear my dalmatian cardi from Old Navy once I have my closet back, and Jenna got nominated for like a thousand Liebster Awards. Go girl!

30 for 30 | 8: Dalmatian Print & Burgundy Booties

Sweater: Old Navy | Jeans: Simply Vera | Boots: ShoeMint | Scarf: Target | Earrings: Simply Vera

Well the good news is that I've decided burgundy booties go with everything.

(The extra good news: I found these and these and these for you so we can match :)

The bad news is you guys might get bored with me below the knees for the rest of my 30 for 30.

30 for 30 | 6: Cargo & Plaid

Jacket: H&M | Top: J.Crew via eBay | Jeans: Simply Vera | Boots: Report | Watch: Fossil

Crazy simple outfit, because guess what? I happen to have crazy simple style.

And I'd like to push my comfort zone here and there in 2013, but I'm not going to spend the next year (or the year after that, or the one after that) trying to reinvent the wheel. I like simple. 

Thanks for all your suggestions on my "going cable-less" post! I have an Amazon Prime student membership (have you signed up? If not, you're missing a ton of free movies/TV shows and free two-day shipping) so I bought this blu-ray player, which lets me watch Amazon Instant Video and comes with three free months of Hulu Plus and a $5 video credit. I'll let you guys know how it goes, but I'm actually sort of stoked. Weird? Seriously if it weren't for March Madness, this would be a breeze... but I've already bribed a friend with beer so I can take over his TV to watch my Jayhawks play.

I'm nothing if not resourceful. And certainly not above bribery.

30 for 30 | January 2013 Link Up #1

Welcome welcome welcome! It's show and tell time!
I want to see your favorite 30 for 30 outfit so far.
Or your least favorite.
Or whatever you feel like linking.

My favorite outfit/item from the week isn't technically in my 30 items... but I can't get enough of this apron. Or my stinking precious little Nanny!

You don't have to be on the 30 for 30 list to participate - if you've done a 30 for 30 before, let's see your recap. Can't wait to see what you guys come up with!

30 for 30 | 5: Speckled Jeans

Sweater: F21 | Shirt: Target | Jeans: Kohl's | Flats: Steve Madden Vegass | Bag: Melie Bianco | Necklace: Charming Charlie's | Sunglasses: Target

Forgot my camera at home + still at my parents' = blogger fail. Ignore the stink eye, trying to hold the cover down on my new phone case to get a decent picture takes more concentration than I'm normally capable of.

I may fail photographically but I looooove this outfit. I wore it to go see Breaking Dawn pt. II with mama (finally) and I was way more into this than the last time I wore these jeans. Also, won $2 on the way home on a scratch-off ticket where the winning numbers were my birthdate. 2013 is my jam!!!

30 For 30 link up tomorrow if I can figure out how. What service do y'all prefer for hosting link ups? Also, don't feel like you can't participate if you're not formally on the list! We'd love to have you!